Hello.

I'm trying to find out if the LSSAH or 101st SS S.Pz.Abt had any Sd.Kfz.251s in Normandy at all?

Any info or pictures would be extremely gratefully appreciated.

This might help:
http://www.network54.com/Forum/571595/thread/1337227696/last-1444872836/Some+LSSAH+SdKfz+251+-+1944-45

Regards,

Marc

According to organisation charts in Michael Reynolds "Steel Inferno", the Third Battalion of SS Panzergrenadier Regiment 2 was the armoured infantry battalion in LSSAH in Normandy. This should in theory have had four companies of Sdkfz 251 vehicles, company numbers 9, 10, 11 and 12 (Heavy Company). Not sure how up to establishment this unit would be, but you could expect each company to have around 14 halftracks in the infantry platoons, plus a heavy platoon with the sustained fire mount for the MG34/42, mortar carriers (Sdkfz 251/2) and "Stummels" (Sdkfz 251/9). In addition the Heavy Company (12) would have extra "Stummels" and mortar carriers. Some Sdkfz 251's in Normandy were fitted with the squeeze bore PzB 41 2.8cm anti-tank gun. The Sdkfz 251/10 with the 3.7mm anti tank gun was theoretically issued as platoon leaders vehicles, but the PzB fitted vehicles may have replaced these.

Additionally, as shown in the pictures from Marc, the heavy company of the Aufklarung Abteilung (Reconnaissance) had Sdkfz 251s.

The Pionere Abteilung should also have had a company of the vehicles, armed with Flamethrowers and infantry guns.

From Dugdale/Wood.....

On 1st July '44, stocks for 1.SS-Panzer Division as a whole were as follows. In brackets = "in process of delivery":

251/1 61 (59)
251/2 6 (10)
251/3 38 (16)
251/5 4
251/7 41 (7)
251/9 - (14)
251/11 8 (10)
251/16 6 (6)
251/17 20 (1)

HTH

Sean

In addition to what Steve posted the LAH also had some in the DivHq company and also the signals abt. as well as the DivBegleit Kompanie and the Artillery Regt as well for command and control in the SP Abt.
Pretty sure the 101st Tiger Bn had them for command and control as well.

HTH

Here's a LSSAH one in the Falaise pocket :



H.P.

Thank you so much everybody for taking the time to reply.

I really appreciate all the information.

I noticed that it was mentioned that the 101st S.Pz.Abt's Tigers might have had Sd.Kfz.251s as command and control vehicles...this is interesting as I'd be fascinated to know if any photos exist of these vehicles?

Also, in the photo of the Sd.Kfz.251 posted by Henri-Pierre, is there any idea of what that vehicle's tactical number might have been? I see the one in the background ends in a 2?

This would lead to a modeling/supply question. 1/35th scale foilage for camo. What suppliers are out there to add the foilage on German APC's and armor to protect from Allied fighter bombers. If we watch the German newsreels of the period they are all pretty much using the foilage. Any suggestions on what is out there. As well as camo netting. (besides painted medical gauze?

Can't help you with the tactical number, but here's another LSSAH Sd.Kfz 251 near Mortain :





More info about these pics here (in French...) :

https://www.flickr.com/photos/photosnormandie/8195938768

According to the text, its belonging to the LSSAH can be deduced from its registration plate (SS-926256)...



H.P.

Merci beaucoup Henri-Pierre pour votre assistance!

You're welcome Mike PhotoNormandie photo albums are really worth a look if you're into D-Day and Battle of Normandy stuff :

https://www.flickr.com/photos/photosnormandie/albums

Here's a video that may help with adding foliage camo to (German) AFV's :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2G5mYmK5t7w

H.P.

Just so you are clear.the track in the background is a 250 and belongs to the LAH recon Bn while the one in front belongs to a mech Inf Bn in LAH.
J

The recconaisance battalion would also have used 250's and 251's. Ive been doing a bit of research for a Hitlerjugend dio and found this online

https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=exXlCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA384&lpg=PA384&dq=sdkfz+250/4&source=bl&ots=ioJQ1xaRWI&sig=P1mmww7DGj8OOmcC5TUezE8yqao&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiyq_zU1sfWAhULLsAKHXBaD0g4ChDoAQg5MAQ#v=onepage&q=sdkfz%20250%2F4&f=false

Which is from "Tip Of The Spear" which is about German recce units. It has the breakdown of 12th SS Recce btn's vehicles for the campaign and what was in each platoon so that helps with the numbering of vehicles. I would have thought 1st SS would have been very similar. It meant that I could number my 251/9 correctly which was my aim. Hope that's of some use.

Thank you to everybody who has replied...I really appreciate it! The information has really been of assistance to me with my upcoming build.